Toasting Hot: Warm Your Insides, One Swig at a Time
Beijing temperatures plummet to as low as -20˚ degrees Celsius in the coming months, but don’t let the cold get in the way of your fun. Agenda shows us the best palces to grab a pal and warm up on the hot drink specials all around town instead.
Drei Kronen The largest microbrewery in town stays faithful to its German roots by making Glühwein – a popular winter drink made of heated red wine, cinnamon sticks and vanilla – for RMB 58-68 a cup. Sun-Thu 11.30am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11.30am-late. 1/F, Bldg 5, China View, Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang District. (6503 5555) 朝阳区工体东路中国红街5号楼1层
Vineyard Cafe This hutong café is the perfect place to warm up. For only RMB 25, you get a glass of Chilean red topped off with Grand Marnier for that extra kick. Tue-Sun 11.30am-10.30pm, closed Mon. 31 Wudaoying Hutong (just north of the Confucius Temple), Dongcheng District. (6402 7961) www.vineyardcafe.cn 东城区五道营胡同31号
Scarlett Not a fan of mixed drinks or wines? Then gulp down hot shots with espresso and milk foam (RMB 40) at Scarlett, with additional options such as French Coffee and Hot White Russians. Daily 6pm-3am. Hotel G, 7A Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6552 2880) www.hotel-g.com 朝阳区工体西路甲7号北京极栈内
Alba This bar (formerly known as e.a.t) has one of the best hot cocktail selections around town. Try their classic mojito mixed with steaming green tea. Daily 10am-2am. 70 Gulou Dongdajie (east of Nanluogu Xiang), Dongcheng District. (6709 1383, 138 1118 3659) 东城区鼓楼东大街70号
Fubar The hot buttered rum (RMB 35-40) delivers a healthy dose of alcohol with dark rum, brown sugar, nutmeg and boiling water, finished with a tab of butter and a cinnamon stick. If that sounds too intense, stick to their hot toddies (RMB 35) and an authentic Austrian Glühwein (RMB 35). Sun-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri-Sat 6pm-4am. Behind Stadium Dog, Gate 10, Workers’ Stadium, Chaoyang District. (6593 8227) 福吧, 朝阳区工体东路工人体育场东门内10号进口
Flow Lounge & Bar This Swissôtel lobby bar has come up with a number of hot chocolate concoctions, from European chocolate cocktails to Sichuan Pepper Hot Chocolate. 港澳中心酒店，朝阳区朝阳门北大街2号 Swissôtel, 2 Chaoyangmen Beidajie, Chaoyang District. (6553 2288) www.swissotel.com/beijing
2/F The preparation of their “Hot French“ is certainly a sight to see: Grand Marnier, orange and cloves are heated in a flask, placed in boiling water, and then lit and poured as a stream of flame into a glass. Cheers. Mon-Fri 6pm-2am, Sat-Sun 6pm-4am. Sanlitun Houjie (south of 3.3 Shopping Center), Chaoyang District (6416 4549) 贰楼, 朝阳区三里屯北街3.3服装大厦南侧
Mao Mao Chong The winter cocktail menu features decadent drinks such as the Adult Chai (black cardamom, fresh ginger and cinnamon-infused vodka), French Toast (Advocaat, Rum, warm milk, cinnamon and honey), or the lighter but equally sensuous Golden Lady (warm Amaretto with orange juice and cinnamon) and mulled wine. Daily 5.30pm-late (closed Tuesday). 12 Banchang Hutong (east off Nanluogu Xiang), Dongcheng District. (159 9264 6024) www.maomaochongstore.com 毛毛虫，东城区板厂胡同14号（南锣鼓巷往东走）
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